Chapter 14

Carlo sounded calm and collected.

"Good day, Captain." He said.

"Are you the only one here?" The guard Captain  asked, skipping over the pleasantries.

"Sir, in all honesty, very few people come to this library. I haven't seen anyone here in days."

"Days? Don't your parents live here?"

"They spend most of their time out of town. They left me to maintain the place."

I heard several other guards walk around. I heard a loud slam, proceeded by what sounded like books falling onto the ground.

"Was that necessary?" Asked Carlo.

"What if there was a loyalist hiding behind it? Then what?" Said a different guard. His voice was softer than the guard Captain.

The footsteps came closer to me.

"Sir, no one has been in the library for days except me. I think I know if a loyalist was hiding here. Must your men make my job harder?" Said Carlo, his voice slightly less calm.

"Don't question my orders." The captain snapped.

The others continued to search through the random stacks of books throughout the library.

"Where do you live?" The guard Captain asked Carlo.

"Nearby on the right. Upstairs."

"Check his home! You, book boy. Stay here." Said the Captain. They left. I didn't hear a door close.

Carlo didn't speak. My neck was getting stiff. I lifted my head up, hitting my head on the table. This caused the table to shake. My heart dropped. Carlo didn't break the silence.

"Clear. Move on, men!" The captain shouted. They mounded their horses and moved onto the next street. Carlo closed the library doors and locked them.

"They're gone." Carlo said, still standing by the door.

I pushed out of the mound of books I was buried under, knocking them everywhere. Carlo was looking out the window, ensuring they were a safe distance away. He didn't say anything to me, and quietly began to walk away. I should have stopped him, but I didn't.

I continued to try to decipher the message. I believed the message was from Johnny. Go to the place of nothing and seek out what you already have. The place of nothing? Lafayette had nothing. But I didn't think that's what Johnny had meant. I don't think she would tell me to return there, especially since it was swarming with Vendov guards. What did I already have? I had nothing, I thought.

It was getting late. Carlo headed for the door.

"Goodnight." He said halfway out the door.

"Carlo, wait." I got up to stop him.

"What is it, Lee?" He said. I almost didn't recognize the sound of my fake name.

"Thank you for helping me today. You did so without hesitation."

"Let me guess, you can't tell me? Why you hid?" Carlo sighed.

"I'm sorry." I said.

He opened the door back up again, ready to leave. He was carrying a bag slung over his shoulder.

"Wait!" I stopped him again. I didn't fully know why, I had no words prepared.

"You still seem upset." I said.

"I mean, I just thought you liked me. I don't know. It was my mistake to bring the muffins and flowers this morning." He said.

"I thought those were for someone else?" I said.

He turned, facing me.

"Of course they were for you. I didn't want to be rejected by you. Do you even like men? If I got that wrong I'm sorry."

"Yeah, I do like men. I do enjoy your company. I just can't." I lowered my head.

"Can you stop being dark and mysterious for five minutes? And give me something? Anything. Tell me something about you." Said Carlo.

"Well. I. I like grapes." I stuttered.

Carlo held back a laugh.

"Grapes?" He chuckled.

"Yes. I do like grapes." I reinstated, hearing how foolish I had sounded.

"I like grapes too, but I meant more of your interests. Do you like writing? Art? Hunting?"

I didn't know how to respond. I never had time to explore interests. As a prince and a king I had to tend to royal duties. And my life before was all in preparation for that. As a fugitive all I did was feel pity for myself and train. I knew of nothing else.

"I know you like reading, considering that's what you do all day." Carlo added.

"Yeah. Reading is nice. I don't really know. I've been traveling a long time." I explained.

We slid to the floor, our backs resting against the doors.

"Do you like reading?" I asked foolishly.

He let out another breathy laugh.

"Yeah, you can say that. I like cooking too. The muffins I made today were really good."

"I should have just accepted them from you. They looked tasty."

"Lucky for you I have some left." He pulled out a wrapped up muffin out of his bag and handed it to me.

"What did you do with the flowers?" I asked.

He then proceeded to pull those out as well. They were a little damaged, and dryer than that morning, but they were still beautiful.

"They're lovely." I said.

"I should've asked you first before coming on too strong." He said.

"It's not that. I just. I need to be careful." I wished I could tell him the truth. I wished that he could be trusted. But he couldn't.

"What does that mean?"

"I can't tell you. You know I don't like questions." I said firmly.

"Alright. Fine. I'll make you deal."

"Oh yeah, what's that?"

"I'll stop asking questions if. You. You kiss me." His cheeks turned pink.

I reminded myself I could not feel anything for him. I didn't want to. I was on a mission. Kissing him would only cause myself confusion.

But if it really did get him to stop asking questions, there could be good in it. I tried to hide the genuine truth; I did want to kiss him.

I put one hand on his face. With my thumb I gently stroked his warm cheek. His brown eyes looked into mine. I watched his eyes close before I closed mine, as I leaned in to kiss him. Our lips touched. My heart jumped. It felt like fire fairies were let loose in my heart and my stomach.